Category Archives: Chesapeake Shores Series

October 15, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: Lilac Lane by Sherryl Woods

Title: Lilac Lane by Sherryl Woods
Chesapeake Shores Series Book 14
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

No one writes about friends, family and home better than Sherryl Woods. Told with warmth and humor, Lilac Lane is a brand-new story in her beloved Chesapeake Shores series, one readers all over the world have waited two years to read!

At the heart of Lilac Lane is Keira Malone, who raised her three children alone after her first marriage broke apart, and who, after years of guarding her heart, finally finds love again. But that love is short-lived when her fiancé suffers a fatal heart attack. Grieving and unsure of what’s next, Keira agrees to move from Dublin to Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, to spend time with her daughter, Moira, and her new granddaughter, Kate, as well as to help her son-in-law, Luke, with his Irish pub, O’Briens.

Not wanting to live underfoot, she rents a charming cottage on Lilac Lane, replete with views of the ocean and her neighbor’s thriving garden—not to mention views of the neighbor himself. The neighbor is none other than Bryan Laramie, the brusque and moody chef at the pub, with whom Keira is constantly butting heads. But things get real when Bryan’s long-lost daughter, whom he hasn’t seen since she was a baby, shows up out of the blue. As Bryan and Keira each delve into their pasts, reopening wounds, the rest of the town is gearing up for the Fall Festival Irish Stew cook-off, and making no bones about whose side they’re on. It’s Kitchen Wars meets This is Your Life—a recipe for disaster…or a new take on love?

You won’t want to miss this epic return to Chesapeake Shores, a place we’re betting you’ll want to stay forever.

Review:

Featuring a heartwarming romance, close family ties and delightful friendships, Lilac Lane is an endearing addition to Sherryl Woods’ Chesapeake Shores series.

Following the sudden death of her mother Keira Malone’s fiancé, Moira O’Brien is worried about her mom so she comes up with a foolproof plan to lure her to the US from Ireland. She convinces her mom that her husband Luke could use her help in his pub and she could use a helping hand with their baby.  Keira readily agrees to visit temporarily and while waiting for her visa issues to be fully worked out, she is working at the pub as a consultant. Keira has not had an easy life and she is not one to mince words or hold back from voicing her opinions. Needless to say, she immediately gets on the pub’s chef Bryan Laramie’s nerves, who is not always amenable to her suggestions.

Bryan is haunted by the fact that he has not seen his daughter since his wife walked out on him years ago and he has never stopped looking for her. Although he is always pleasant, he is a bit of a loner who is devoted to his job. He wants to get along with Luke’s mother-in-law, but Keira always manages to irritate him with her unsolicited advice. However, when she moves in next door to him, the unlikely pair end up spending a lot of time in each other’s company.  After his daughter unexpectedly re-enters his life, Keira is instrumental in smoothing over the rough spots in their reunion.

The relationship between Bryan and Keira is originally a little antagonistic as they bicker back and forth at the pub. Their peaceful moments are often short-lived due to their respective baggage.  Their surprising friendship paves the way for their unlikely yet incredibly sweet romance but Keira’s fears come between them on more than one occasion.  She is quick to put obstacles in their path since she is afraid of risking her heart again. Until Bryan meets Keira, his unsettled past with his wife makes him hesitant to become seriously involved but his growing feelings for the feisty Irishwoman are the catalyst he needs to take steps to resolve these issues.

Lilac Lane is an engaging novel with a fantastic cast of characters and a slow moving but heartfelt romance.  Readers who enjoy close-knit families, small town settings and clean romances are sure to love this newest installment in Sherryl Woods’ homespun Chesapeake Shores series.

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Filed under Chesapeake Shores Series, Contemporary, Harlequin, Lilac Lane, Mira, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sherryl Woods

September 27, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Willow Brook Road by Sherryl Woods

willow brook roadTitle: Willow Brook Road by Sherryl Woods
Chesapeake Shores Series Book Thirteen
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length:384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods sweeps readers away with the story of a beloved member of the O’Brien family as she claims the life she’s always dreamed of

Spirited, spontaneous Carrie Winters has grown up under the watchful eyes of not only her grandfather Mick O’Brien, but the entire town of Chesapeake Shores.

Now that she’s home from Europe, a glamorous fashion career behind her and her heart broken, there seem to be far too many people watching to see if she’ll live up to the expectations her family has for her.

As if that weren’t enough pressure, Carrie finds herself drawn to sexy, grief-stricken Sam Winslow, who is yearning for someone to help him raise the nephew who’s unexpectedly come into his life after a tragedy.

With her own life in turmoil, is Carrie really ready to take on a new career and a new man? Or is Sam exactly what she needs to create the strong, loving family she’s always wanted?

Review:

Willow Brook Road by Sherryl Woods is a wonderful addition to the heartwarming Chesapeake Shores series. In this latest offering featuring the meddlesome but loving O’Brien family, Carrie Winters discovers her niche in life after her returning to her beloved hometown. She also unexpectedly finds love despite her first tempestuous encounters with newcomer Sam Winslow.

Carrie is feeling the pressure from her well-intentioned but interfering grandpa Mick to figure out what she is going to do now she decided to move back home. Her messy break-up with her ex not only ended her relationship but also her career and over the past several months, she has been filling in as a babysitter for her various family members while she tries to decide what she wants to do next. A surprising suggestion by one of her cousins helps steer her in an unanticipated but exciting new direction but her family’s lack of confidence in her new endeavor is disheartening. Adding to her distress is a family member’s unexpected jealousy and hurtful comments over Carrie’s involvement with Sam and his nephew Bobby.  As if Carrie is not contending with enough drama, the future of her budding romance with Sam remains uncertain in the face of their individual insecurities.

Although Carrie loved traveling and seeing new places, she is ready to put down roots in Chesapeake Shore. She has purchased a home and she is enjoying reconnecting with her family even though she is a little frustrated by their insistence at poking around in her business. Despite their assertions she is acting without thinking things through, after careful research, Carrie is certain she has made the right decision, but she is still afraid of disappointing her family.

Sam is still reeling from the death of his sister but he puts his grief aside while he creates a new home for Bobby. He is clearly out of his depth as he attempts to adapt to instant “fatherhood” and his honesty about his fears is quite refreshing. He also must come to terms with the fact that his footloose, fancy free days are behind him now that he is responsible for Bobby. While he is certainly confused about why his sister named him as Bobby’s guardian, Sam never once considers taking care of him as an unwelcome burden. He makes a few missteps and mistakes but Sam’s commitment to his nephew never wavers as he tries to help Bobby settle into their new life together.

The relationship between Sam and Carrie is slow growing and simmers on the backburner while they deal with the individual changes in their lives. Both are very concerned about Bobby’s well-being and after their initial somewhat hostile encounters, Sam often turns to Carrie for advice. Sam and Carrie attempt to ignore the spark between them as they help Bobby adjust to his new life but their attraction is just too powerful to resist. Sam and Carrie tentatively begin dating, but with so much uncertainty in their lives, is their budding romance strong enough to withstand the unresolved issues from their respective pasts?

Willow Brook Road by Sherryl Woods is another enchanting installment in the Chesapeake Shores series. Carrie and Sam are three-dimensional, vibrant characters that are quite appealing. Their relationship is very sweet and grows naturally over the course of the story. As always, the O’Brien family plays a huge role in the unfolding storyline, and it is quite enjoyable catching up with characters from previous novels. All in all, it is another heartfelt and engaging visit in Chesapeake Shores that is sure to delight old and new fans of this charming series.

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Filed under Chesapeake Shores Series, Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Romance, Willow Brook Road

December 29, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Dogwood Hill by Sherryl Woods

dogwood hillTitle: Dogwood Hill by Sherryl Woods
Chesapeake Shores Series Book Twelve
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods tests the strength of the beloved O’Briens and proves that love and family can always triumph! 

When former pro football quarterback Aidan Mitchell comes to Chesapeake Shores to take a high school coaching job, he’s embraced by the town—especially the O’Briens. But Aidan has a secret that could alter all their lives.

For wounded Liz March, who’s trying for a fresh start after a devastating betrayal, taking a chance on Aidan may be more than she can handle. Her heart, however, refuses to listen to her head. But just when forever seems within reach, Aidan’s secret threatens to change everything.

Does this tempting stranger who’s made her feel alive have the power to convince her to look beyond the past and reach for the future?

The Review:

Dogwood Hill by Sherryl Woods is the newest installment in the delightful Chesapeake Shores series which features the extensive O’Brien clan. Like the other books in the series, it is another heartfelt and endearing novel of love and healing for newcomers Aidan Mitchell and Liz March. Once again, the O’Brien family is on hand to offer friendship and support to both Aidan and Liz as they embark on a new relationship.

Needing a fresh start after her husband’s death, Liz moved to Chesapeake Shores and opened a pet supply business. While she is good friends with several of the O’Brien women, she has not really opened up to them about her past. Liz is content with her new life but she has serious trust issues that she must overcome before she can completely heal the wounds left from her late husband’s betrayal.

When an injury ends his NFL career, Aidan is considering accepting a job as the new coach for the Chesapeake Shores high school football team. Although he is seriously contemplating the coaching position, it is only part of the reason he is in town. However, Aidan has a few uncertainties about how he wants to approach what turns out to be an unexpectedly complicated situation, so he decides to keep this information to himself as he ponders his next move.

With their paths frequently crossing, Aidan and Liz strike up an easygoing friendship. They genuinely like one another and while they try to deny it, it is easy for everyone around them to see they are attracted to each other. The O’Brien’s try their hand at a little matchmaking but Liz is determined to protect herself from further heartache while Aidan still cannot divulge his secret.

Dogwood Hill is a warm and inviting addition to Sherryl Woods’ marvelous Chesapeake Shores series. It is a sweet, emotional and engaging romance with an appealing cast of likable characters. The plot is well written and believable. A wonderfully heartwarming novel that old and new fans of the series are going to love.

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Filed under Chesapeake Shores Series, Contemporary, Dogwood Hills, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sherryl Woods